The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1887-07-02
ITEMS OF INTEREST.

The following interesting items are taken from
advance sheets of the American Agricultural for
July:
The Kitchen Garden.-Weeds will now grow
apace, and the rake, hoe, and cultivator must be
kept in motion. The asparagus tops should not
be cut away for decorations, etc., to any great
tent. Next years crop will depend upon the
growth of this years top; but few weeds will grow
in the shade of the tops; pull out those that ap-
pear.... Plant Refugee Beans for late use and for
picking. Plant quick growing varieties of sweet
corn for late use....Sow early beets to afford an
abundance of things which arc better than spinach
in midsummer....W When the cucumbers for pickles
are up, dust the plants with ashes plaster to
keep off the "bugs" keep the tomatoes from the
ground. If mo trells has been provided, lay brush
under them, to keep the fruit off the ground.
The Cellar an Summer.-At this season the cell
lar must be kept cool, dry, ventilated and clean.
The doors must be kept closed as much as possible
during the day, but they may be opened about
midnight and remain open until early morning.
During the latter half Of the night the air is cool,
and air must be admitted to keep the cellar dry
and pure. If kept clean, not great deal of air.
ing will be needed. If the cellar is damp, fruits
and vegetables decay sooner, and it is more un-
healthful than is generally supposed. Many at
tacks of fever, dphtheria, other diseases result
from damp, unventiated, unclean cellars. Keep
ing the cellar clean and ventilated is the best way
to keep it dry; it may be necessary to use other
means. Lime placed in the cellar will absorb
moisture and noxious gases, and thus help to keep
the air pure. Charcoal is also great absorber of
gases. The temperature of the cellar may be low
cred by putting tub of broken ice and salt in.
The rapid melting of the ice cools the air. This
will be convenient when a considerable quantity
of fresh meat or fruit is to be preserved. 1t is
impossible to keep the cellar in good condition
less the drainage is efficient and there is proper
arrangement of doors and windows. Double ones
are needed to keep the temperature at the right
point in summer as we'll as in winter.
Shetland Ponies.--There is an unfailing interest
attaching to these little horses-it may be for the
reason that they fitted to be petted and
made to play tricks; but there is better reason
than either of these and it lies in the fact that
there is deal of good service within the diminu-
tive beasts capacity. We do not put them to any
severe test on this behalf in this country-here
they nnd tic saa 81 existence in laboring for the
pleasure of the little ones-but in their native
Scotland they enjoy no perpetual holiday, for there
they literal beasts of burden undergoing heavy
tasks, bearing men who easily could carry them,
and carrying burdens which would not be consid-
cred light if laden upon horses of ordinary size.
In the native condition ''at home," the Sheltie
is long haired, shaggy in truth, with an abundant
name, and luxurant foretop, and blessed with a
tail of, for itself, formidable dimensions. But
these peculiarites not disfgurcments, because
they comport with the country-bleak wind swept
islands, where Nature must give extra covering to
her children, or leave them to perish. Change of
climate, however, gives new characteristics, and
the second or third generation, begotten under
more favorable conditions, presents we.nigh
new type, which is, to the hairy ancestry, some
what the original English pony is to its i'm
proved descendants.
Weed Ont the Flock.-This is the best season
for classification of ewes and disposing of the
poorest By this time a correct judgment of the
lamb or lambs reared by each eve can be formed;
and the weight of each fleece is also known. The
profitableness of eve depends upon the number
and quality of the lambs she raises, her weight of
wool, etc. One eve may raise a lamb while an
other loses hers yet the former will shear such
poor fleece that she is really the less profitable.
The loss of lamb often occurs through no fault
ofthe eve. Nevertheless, proifcacy is desirable
quality in a eve. good eve properly treated
before and after yeaning, can rear two good lambs
without injury to herself. Some ewes are better
mothers than others.
1t certainly will not be profitable to keep the
inferior sheep through next winter. If the CLASH
fcation is made now, the rejected class can be
made ready for market on grass; which makes
the cheapest flesh. Many farmers will find the
most profitable market for these culls on their own
farms. Truly there is prejudice among consul
mers against aged ewes. But this is chiefly owing
to the fact that such often put upon the market
in poor condition. lean sheep does not make
good mutton, whatever its age. 1t is not claimed
that fattening an old eve will make her yield the
best mutton; but it may be made good and pala-
table. When the ewes are culled out every year,
there will be soon no very old ones. This is not
the season for the consumption of salt pork; and
all things considered, mutton will be good thing
for the farmers larder.
Operating the Mower.-Take up the wear of the
boxes, by removing the stufing. If the journals
have too much play they cut fast. But if the
boxes fit too closely, they will heat. The thick
ness of newspaper all around each is sufficient
play. Examine all the nuts and tighten any that
are loose. A loose nut will cause the machine to
wear or break and will lose off in the field, caus
ing veXatious delay at the least. If any nut is
very loose, place leather washer under it, and
sink the nut in. Assure youself that there is no
weak place in the whif1etrees. They always break
at the wrong moment, and may allow the machine
and your team to mire down in muddy spot.
Mind the sckles. Every mower should be pro-
vded with three sickes, SO that as soon as one be-
comes dulled, another may be put in its place. A
dull sickle does dragged" cutting, and will increase
the wear and draft of the machine, one half. OBJ
serve if the sickle bar is not warped; and if the
points of the section are in perfectly straight
line. section out of line will wear fast and in
crease the draft. Try the sections, and tighten
any that are loose loose section is apt to cause
q breakage. A loose guard will produce the same
result. See that the tool box contains claw-ham-
mer, pncers file, sections rivets, bolts, wire and
nails the lack of these will often require a trip
from the field to the tool house. If any journals
have rusted, coal oil, every few minutes, for
the first half hour, driving slowly; and it is well
to use coal oil occasionally on the track of the
sickle, to clear off the gum that gathers from the
grass. The machine oil often sold is poor stuff
it is often necessary to add castor oil to give it
body. If too much of the latter is used, however,
it will gum. We have never used anything that
gave higher satisfaction than lard (unsalted) with
castor oil added to give it little body. If the
lard is taken to the field hot, in the morning, the
sun will keep it liquifed during the day.